Padres Stay Hot In Arizona

And Not Just Because Of The Weather

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PHOENIX, AZ - AUGUST 25: Chase Headley #7 of the San Diego Padres hits a home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on August 25, 2012 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

Updated at 9:18 AM PDT on Sunday, Aug 26, 2012

The Padres are playing some of the best baseball in baseball (which is a pretty good place to play good baseball).

OK, now that I'm done channeling John Madden, I'll just tell you the Padres beat the Diamondbacks 9-3 on Saturday in Phoenix. San Diego has won six straight games.

Chase Headley, Carlos Quentin and Yonder Alonso all his solo home runs for the Padres. Alonso also drove in a pair with a bases loaded single.

Headley's homer was his 22nd of the year and 10th of the month. He's just 4 dingers away from tying Kevin Caminiti's team record, set in his MVP year of 1996.

San Diego's offense was helped by Arizona's pitching, which at times couldn't find the plate with a Thomas Guide. For you under-30 readers, substitute Thomas Guide with GPS.

Diamondbacks pitchers issued a pair of bases-loaded walks. The Padres drew six walks in all.

Clayton Richard had no such trouble. The workhorse who leads the National League in innings pitched threw another 8 on Saturday. Richard allowed 3 runs and struck out 4 to get his 11th win of the season. He's been the only guy in the Padres rotation who's been healthy all year, and it's been a life saver for Bud Black and his bullpen.

The Padres go for the sweep in the desert on Sunday with Edinson Volquez facing Joe Saunders.